Ben Montgomery: In February 1961, Vic Prinzi pulled into the visitors' lot at the Florida School for Boys in Marianna and sat in the car collecting his thoughts. He was apprehensive.
"Why am I here?" he wondered.
He could still turn around, head back to Tallahassee and send word that he had changed his mind. Prinzi was 25 and self-confident.
His years as Florida State's quarterback would eventually land him in the school's hall of fame.
He'd played with the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, but got cut, and so he came back to Florida.
A friend told him about the opening at the state's oldest reform school. With more than 800 boys between 7 and 18, it had grown to one of the largest homes for…
Keep reading with a membership
This story is for Gangrey members. Join to read it in full, unlock the archive, and support narrative nonfiction.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Sign in



Leave a comment